Microsoft bought Skype for $8.5 Billion

[Elimentals]

Oh grate, there goes another good product down the drain.....

Nice moola for prev Skype owners.

Suppose now is a good time to start moving to Google Talk...

 

[iDOL]

it most definitely is some serious cash for the investors in skype.

 

[Dicebat]

+1 and don't forget:

Integration with Games For Windows Live, the worst pile of poo shat out by Microsoft since Windows ME..

They'll probably integrate Skype voip with games (yes, you will HAVE TO buy skype credits too.)

 

[warwickw]

There goes the Linux and Mac versions of Skype.

 

[Elimentals]

There goes the Linux and Mac versions of Skype.

I am more concerned about the Android and iOS versions. If history taught me one thing its that Microsoft does not play fair/well with others and all things Microsoft touch turns to bloat.

 

[dj_jyno]

I am more concerned about the Android and iOS versions.

Speaking of which... Skype Windows Phone 7 integration, coming soon?

 

[theJonster]

clever move, the main goal obviously to integrate it with Windows Phone.

 

[Mams]

clever move, the main goal obviously to integrate it with Windows Phone.

that seem to be the only logical reasoning...

 

[XConnect]

The Skype acquisition is highly relevant because of the mature video functionality: Skype enables customers to video call each other and this type of calling is increasing rapidly. Other players (Cisco, Apple) are well advanced in their video calling capability and Microsoft realises the strategic importance of this key technology.

Initially voip was seen as 'low cost' but (more importantly) SIP and IP is 'feature rich' - enabling high definition voice and video (as well as presence and other services). There is a lot of activity around video at the moment.

Since we operate in the SIP-peering space (enabling interconnection between providers to facilitate multi-service off-net calls) we are aware that the last 6 months have seen significant changes in the global industry not yet fully appreciated in the local market. Video is but one of these. Yet these changes will hit our shores soon and radically change the face of communications.

Ironically (talking in the context of Skype) what will really drive uptake of new services is the ability to make multi-service calls across different networks, seamlessly. Imagine how limited SMS would be if you could only sms people on the same network! That is why we focus on enabling video and other services across networks - to drive that rapid uptake.